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Basketball Fan
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 Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 4:15 pm Post subject: The Dallas Mavericks once passed on drafting Karl Malone & their GM called him "Half Man" Karl Malone |
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Interesting story that I never knew especially Detlef being drafted by the Mavs originally.
http://thebiglead.com/2016/06/13/the-dallas-mavericks-once-passed-on-drafting-karl-malone-and-their-gm-called-him-half-a-man/
| Quote: | The Dallas Mavericks Once Passed on Drafting Karl Malone and Their GM Called Him "Half a Man"Karl Malone
I was doing some archive searches of the 1980’s, since everyone seems to be talking about how much tougher players were then. During the course of that, I came across an amazing piece from the April 24, 1986 Miami Herald entitled “Mavs Wanted a Real Man.” I can’t find an online version (other than subscription through Lexis) but here is the text, regarding the Mavericks and the decision not to draft Karl Malone in the draft before that season at 8th overall.
Because Dallas Mavericks’ officials (and fans) are always whining about the team’s lack of muscle, Dallas columnist Skip Bayless suggested that the Mavs should have drafted Karl “The Mailman” Malone last year instead of Detlef Schrempf.
Malone, who is 6-9 and 260 pounds, was selected by Utah — Dallas’ first-round playoff opponent — as the 13th choice in the first round. Schrempf, a thin, 6-10 playmaker, was eighth choice.
In defending their decision, Mavs’ honchos said Malone looks tough but is basically a wimp.
“I just don’t think Malone is a rebounder,” said Dallas General Manager Norm Sonju. “I have a problem with big men who like to shoot outside. I like a man to be where a man belongs.”
Sonju had coveted Virginia Union strongman Charles Oakley, who was drafted by Cleveland and wound up with Chicago.
“Oakley is a man,” concluded Sonju. “Malone is more like half a man. He appears to be tougher than he is. He gets knocked down a lot. He’s not a Maurice Lucas type.”
In a radio interview last year, Malone, who starred at Louisiana Tech, shared how disappointed he was that the Mavericks didn’t draft him, and how he was motivated to beat them. Being referenced as “half a man” and a “wimp” may also have provided some motivation back then. Also, how amazing is it that a GM passed on a big man because he could score? Karl Malone finished 2nd in all-time NBA scoring. Oops. |
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rwongega
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spflakers
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 10:24 am Post subject: |
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1985 was rather an amazing draft for the Mavs. At 16 and 17, they took Bill Wennington and Uwe Blab.
That draft was certainly the peak for tall white guys getting drafted for no other reason than those two attributes: Jon Koncak, Joe Kleine, Blair Rasmussen were also in the first round. And Mike Smrek was taken with first pick of second round. |
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non-player zealot
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| Posted: Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:49 pm Post subject: |
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Malone actually said the Mavs gave him a verbal commitment at 8. He expected to be drafted by them.
If he were taken by Dallas, they would've been a heavy hitter. Lakers went to 7 with them in 88, but they Showtimed the hell out of them in all four home games. Magic threw every pass in his magic bag at them to the point of comedy. The Lakes were just having issues with closing on the road that year. With Malone in the mix, the Mavs suddenly have a physical component the type LA didn't like to tussle with. Malone and Stockton took them to 7 by themselves in a markedly tougher series. Utah was one bad 4th quarter from going up 3-1. Lakers scraped out of Salt Lake with a huge Gm 4 win to tie it 2-2.
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SuperboyReformed
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| Posted: Fri Jun 17, 2016 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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| non-player zealot wrote: | Malone actually said the Mavs gave him a verbal commitment at 8. He expected to be drafted by them.
If he were taken by Dallas, they would've been a heavy hitter. Lakers went to 7 with them in 88, but they Showtimed the hell out of them in all four home games. Magic threw every pass in his magic bag at them to the point of comedy. The Lakes were just having issues with closing on the road that year. With Malone in the mix, the Mavs suddenly have a physical component the type LA didn't like to tussle with. Malone and Stockton took them to 7 by themselves in a markedly tougher series. Utah was one bad 4th quarter from going up 3-1. Lakers scraped out of Salt Lake with a huge Gm 4 win to tie it 2-2. |
I've almost forgotten about some of these close calls.
Some of these close call series quickly fade out of the memory. Another similar one from recent years is the rockets 7 gamer. it just doesnt stick like portland or sac, lol. |
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